Do you walk alone at night?

[FeetupTvon]

I love walking for fitness and relaxation.
Now the nights are drawing in I’m wondering if I should use the treadmill at the gym instead.
Obviously I want to continue going for walks but don’t want to feel unsafe as that defeats the object of walking being for mindfulness.
Just want to know how common/uncommon walking alone in the dark is.

I walk home in the dark in London until about 10pm. After that I take a taxi to be safer.

I live in a busy suburb outside of the city, I walk home from friend's houses or nearby events at night but I don't enjoy it at all.

If by night you mean when its dark, yes of course, I don't know how one can avoid that when its dark at 4.30pm.

Night time (as in, after 11-midnight) yes I do It quite often, I live in London so its very normal. Headphones in as well.
I'm rarely out after midnight though. But its because I'm old and need my sleep.

I've been harassed and intimidated in the gym loads more.

I'm happy to walk around at night, as much as I am happy to walk about during the day.

The more people who are out and about, the safer it is, as well.

This. No issue with walking back after pubs close.

Yes, because in a couple of months it will not get light until 8 be dark at 4 and I have a job. And just a life to lead as well. I am possibly more cautious late at night, not that I go our that much now.

But I have also had unpleasant incidents walking by myself in the middle of the day. Being a lone women is the risk unfortunately, not the time of day.

In over 20 years of regularly walking home alone at night in cities, the one time I have ever been attacked walking home at night I was with someone - a friend and i were walking back from the bus stop at 2am and someone ran past and snatched my bag.

I don't go far ever, and hate going out at night but sometimes needs must. But I don't think I'd just 'go for a walk' alone in the dark. There would need to be a solid reason for being out.
But I'm terrified of public transport so if rather walk five miles at midnight than use the tube! It would probably kill me so don't think I'll try it.

Yes of course. Just last night I was helping out at a charity event and walked home alone afterwards, it was about 11.30pm.

Not if I don't have to. Why risk it?

Not a chance, not in the morning and not in the afternoon either. I am entering peak hermitting zone now.

Yea I do. I often work after the kids are in bed, then need to clear my head before sleep so go a walk at 10.30 or something. Residential roads, suburb of a large city. I am aware of my surroundings (for example I don't have headphones in so I can hear people) but I don't feel unsafe

I live in an area without the best reputation & used to walk around in the dark in the winter before I had my kid. Didn’t really have much option when it came to getting to work & back. The only reason I don’t do it now is because I can’t juggle a toddler & at least 2 bags on the bus without a pushchair.

Yes, I have always done so. I grew up in London and would walk home from my local train station at night. I moved a few times and some areas felt safer than others.
Now I live more rurally. Again, I'll walk home at night but I will steer clear of areas that are too remote or unpopulated. I know quite a lot of people in the area I live in, so could knock in doors if I felt worried.

I recently had a weekend away on a city break, and went for a walk in the early evening. It was a busy, well-lit area, and I enjoyed a bit if sightseeing. I mentioned it to a friend who was horrified that I'd go out on my own in a city at night.

Yeah I do. I know it’s more of a risk but I refuse to be locked in my house just because the sun isn’t out.

I really value my freedom. But unfortunately because there are some horrible people in this world, you can’t have 100% freedom without risk. I would choose my freedom and independence every time. I just make sure I’m more aware or my surroundings if I feel like the area could be dodgy.

@FeetupTvon curious about time and area.

I think the MN answer is yes I do but some people think 8pm is night time, I think more 1am when I hear this question.

Yes, all the time. I love night walks

Some places I'm happy to walk at night.
Other places I won't go after dark.

If I'm in the woods or along the canal or out in the country side, I feel perfectly at ease and safe... As long as my torch doesn't die.

The areas I feel most unsafe are places where there's lots of people. I wouldn't walk through town centre on a Saturday night these days for example.
There's areas around me that have a bad reputation as well, I avoid those as best I can.

But yeah / people pose a danger - fewer people, fewer dangers.

Yes. Otherwise how do you live life? I don't get home until 8 when I'm in the office for a start. I have a dog who needs a walk in the evening.

Yep. Always have. Always will.
Lived in both urban and rural locations, including London, within the UK - and abroad - and never let fear hold me back.
I was taught to handle myself from a young age, so maybe that helps, but it's never occurred to me to let 'the dark' have a hold over me.

Yes, always have and never give it a second thought.
Don't go wandering into forests or anything though!

Of course I do! I live in the Uk where it gets dark around 4pm & I work. I live rurally and don’t feel unsafe at all

Absolutely not. I've been flashed at, chased when I was young and stupid and didn't care about walking alone at night, and I have been raped. I don't trust men so no. Not even at 5pm.

I do, but I have a big dog and although perfectly friendly he is also protective with a VERY loud bark, so I figure he’s my bouncer😂

Yes. I am early 60s and not worried about going out alone after dark.